Cook Islands Government acknowledges International Anti Corruption Day

Cook Islands Government acknowledges International Anti Corruption Day

Category: Financial Secretary Office News

Cook Islands acknowledges International Anti-Corruption Day

The Government is using today’s International Anti Corruption Day to help the public understand how they can help keep the Cook Islands corruption-free.

Finance Minister Hon Mark Brown said it was important to future investment in the Cook Islands that the Government remain committed to practicing and promoting anti-corruption initiatives.

“We have a good reputation internationally. What that means is that we are more likely to be able to get resources from funds that will help all Cook Islands people,” the Minister said.

“It is also important to me that our government and bureaucracy is seen as being open, transparent and accountable by people in villages and towns across all our islands.”

International Anti Corruption Day is a United Nations day that supports the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The Cook Islands is a signatory to that convention which came into force in 2005.

It acknowledges that “corruption hurts the poor disproportionately undermines a Governments ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment.”

“While we have supported this convention since it began, we believe we can do more to help all Cook Islanders understand what corruption is and how they can be part of ensuring the Cook Islands are corruption free,” Mr Brown said.

“This evening (7pm Monday 8 December) I will be part of a documentary on Cook Islands Television that will help us all understand corruption and what we can do to prevent it.

“We will also be making information more widely available through the www.mfem.gov.ck website and other media so that people know where and how they can raise any corruption concerns they have,” the Minister concluded.